Valentine Christian Miller was born on July 30, 1863, in Kylertown, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. He married Anna Gertrude Schulte at St Mary's, IA on November 18, 1887. Ten children were born to this union. In 1891, they moved with two children, John and Joe, to a farm in Palo Alto county. The following year they moved again  to Jackson Township in Warren County, Iowa.
The family moved to Howard, Miner County, South Dakota in 1910. They were to spend the next 14 years farming 2 miles south of town. In 1923 VC began doctoring for cancer of the mouth, so the following year they decided to retire from farming and purchased a home at 206 N Minnie Street in Howard and moved to town. He continued to help on the farm, as his sons, Martin and George had taken over the operation. He also helped Otto, Frank and Herman on their farm near Roswell, and on the Nick Breuer farm. Anna would help cook for the workers. VC also enjoyed fishing during his retirement years. They spent much of their time traveling to visit their family, including the many grandchildren they had acquired.
In late March of 1929, the cancer which VC had been fighting grew worse. He was hospitalized for 9 weeks in Savannah, Missouri, while the cancer was removed through operation.
November 8th, 1937 marked 50 years of wedded bliss for VC & Anna. They celebrated the happy day with over 70 family members and friends.
By 1938 VC's cancer had grown steadily worse, as he had the roof of his mouth removed. In order for him to eat, he had to pack cotton in the cavity in the roof of his mouth. His entire family was called to his bedside on March 12, 1939, and he passed away on March 18th of that year.
Anna survived her husband by 2 years, being taken care of by her son Frank who lived with her. She rejoined her husband on September 13, 1941. Their grandchildren would eventially number 34.
Valentine and Anna's estate was administered by J Ferdinand Peschong and Frank Miller. In May of 1943 they sold the farm, located two miles south of Howard, to Herman and Oliva Miller for $8,500. The house on Minnie Street was sold to Theodore Schmitz for $1,500. Their estate was finally settled in 1944 with George purchasing the farm land in Faulk county for $400.00. In the final accounting, a cash balance amounting to $10,221.79 was divided by the 10 heirs on an equal basis.

HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL MILLER FARM IN MINER COUNTY. In the fall of 1909, Valentine C Miller, and his brother, John H Miller made a trip to South Dakota to look for a place to relocate from St Mary’s Iowa. John H had decided on Hand County, but Valentine had heard that in Howard, South Dakota they had just completed the erection and dedication of a new Catholic school and since a number of his children were still of school age, the school was of prime importance. He was able to purchase a farm, owned by Johannas Klindt, located two miles south of Howard. In the spring of 1910, three of VC Miller’s children, Frank (19) Thresia (16) and Otto (13) were to proceed to South Dakota, arriving in Vilas, with horses, machinery and some household goods. The Klindt family had not as yet vacated the house so they were to share the premises for a short period of time. Within a two month period of time, the other members of the family arrived, with the remainder of their possessions.
VC and Anna remained on the farm until 1924, when they retired to a home on Minnie Street in Howard. Their son Martin was married to Catherine Esser in June of that year and moved into the house with his bride sharing the house and farming duties with his brother George. Catherine died April 28, 1926, 5 days after Marjorie was born. Marj lived with Charlie Esser’s for a couple of years. George married Ethel Johnson on December 29, 1926 and Martin lived with them. Marjorie came back in 1928 and lived with her Dad (Martin) and George & Ethel. Martin married Agnes Lewis on February 10, 1931. George moved his young family to the Winfred area March 1, 1931. Martin lived there until 1935 when Herman & Oliva moved inthe the home place.
In 1943, Herman & Oliva were able to purchase the farm from the Miller estate. Herman and Oliva moved to Howard in the Fall of 1981. Herman’s grandson Dave lives on the farm, and is the 4th generation of Miller’s to do so.

Obituary-The life of V.C. Miller passed on last Saturday, March 18, 1939 at his home in Howard following a lingering illness, his age was 75 years, 7 months and 19 days. Mr Miller was well known, retired farmer having lived in this city the past 15 years, he and his family had lived two miles south of town 14 years prior to their moving to the city. The funeral was held at St. Agatha Catholic chruch Tuesday, March 21st and the burial was in St. Joseph cemetery. V. C. Miller was born July 30, 1863 in Clearfield county, PA. He was married to Anna Schulte at St. Mary's IA, November 8, 1887. To this union 10 children were born, 9 of whom are living. In 1910 the family moved to Miner County and then located on a farm two miles south of Howard. 15 years ago Mr. & Mrs Miller moved to this city where they have lived since that time. Those surviving to mourn are Mrs. Anna Miller and children, John, of Polo, SD, Joe, Frank, Martin, Herman and Mrs. J.F. Peschong of Howard, Otto of Rosewll, George of Winfred and Henry of Sioux Falls. One daughter, Mary, preceded him in death in 1935. One brother, Andy Miller, of West Bend, Iowa survives the deceased as do also 29 grandchildren and a host of friends.
Out of town relatives here for the funeral were Mrs Lena Miller and son of Lansing, MN; Mrs Clara Johnson and Leonard Miller of Austin, MN; Joe Schulte, Frank, Joe and Mrs. Bill Soukup all of Yankton; Louis Schulte and daughter, Louise and and Bill Schulte of Rapid City; John Schulte of Geddes; Mrs. Max Miller and Kate Miller of Woonsocket; Mr. & Mrs S.J. Bussanamas of Bevington, IA; Mr. and Mrs Doc Miller of Granville, IA; Mr. & Mrs Martin Miller of Hardy, IA; Mr. John Weil of Waukee, IA and Mrs John Thorman and son of Grandville, IA.